7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Huntington, WV

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Huntington homeowners reduce the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.

When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are microwaves, refrigerators, dryers, washers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, and more. Included systems are typically heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Huntington homeowners to wait 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Additionally, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Before signing a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:

• Deductible: The amount you're responsible for before your warranty covers the remainder of the cost. Deductibles apply to covered repairs and may be on a per-claim or yearly basis.
• Claim approval: The process providers use to determine whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under a home warranty plan.
• Coverage limits: How much money your warranty provider will pay for specific repairs or replacements. Check limits on repairs for things like appliances, roof leaks, and air conditioning units.
• Trade call fee: An added fee that you'll sometimes need to pay for appliance-related claims.
• Endorsements: Additional coverage for systems like well pumps, septic, and pools, which usually comes with a fee for each add-on.
• Contract rate: The rate that your home warranty provider has pre-negotiated with its contractors. Normally, this rate is lower than what you'd pay retail.
• Service fee: The amount you pay our of pocket per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.

Keeping these key details in mind will help you understand home warranty contracts and pricing, so you can pick the right plan and protect your most important home systems. Discuss coverage details with potential providers when you get a quote to avoid surprise fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:

Coverage Options

Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans cover electrical, heating, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More robust plans also offer protection for other items such as spas, roof leaks, well pumps, and pools. Look for providers with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your needs.

Service Fees

You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for providers advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may waive deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.

Reputation

A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for quality service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers keep networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair contractors they have in Huntington and get an idea for how quickly your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Larger networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.

Added Benefits

Some home warranty providers include bonuses such as smart home device protection, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Huntington?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Huntington’s relatively mild winters and hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.

A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

As for the downsides of home warranties, coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to understand what each policy covers and doesn’t include in the contract.

Another consideration is that home warranties usually only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They often won’t cover home systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.